A Story That Didn’t End with Emily GT
When the Emily GT prototypes were first shown, many observers assumed the story had reached its natural conclusion. A technically advanced electric sedan had been developed under extraordinary time pressure, demonstrated publicly, and then stalled when funding collapsed.
Yet the engineers who worked on the project never regarded it as finished. The car existed, the technical groundwork had been proven, and the knowledge accumulated during development remained intact.
In recent months, that sense of unfinished business has begun to take a more concrete form.
Saab Winter Rally – Where the Next Chapter Was Discussed
Last weekend, Frank Smit appeared as a guest speaker at the Saab Winter Rally in the Netherlands, an enthusiast-driven event organized by Erno and Miranda Reuvekamp, both long-time participants in navigation rallies and Saab gatherings across Europe.
Unlike formal industry conferences, the setting encouraged open discussion. Frank spoke not only about the history of the Emily GT project, but about what could follow it.
Miranda later shared her impressions of the presentation, emphasizing Frank’s determination and persistence. Her reaction reflected what many in attendance felt: the possibility of a newly developed Sonett appearing at future events no longer seemed theoretical.
That moment marked a subtle but important shift. The conversation had moved from preserving a prototype to developing a future product.
Confirmation Through the Home of Sonett Initiative
Shortly after the presentation, further confirmation emerged in the form of a dedicated project platform:
https://www.homeofsonett.com/
The site outlines a structured initiative called “Home of Sonett”, built around a long-term vision rather than a short-term announcement.
Its message is restrained but clear. The intention is not only to revive the Sonett name, but to acquire and finalize the vehicle currently known as the Emily GT and use it as the foundation for a broader family of vehicles.
This approach suggests continuity rather than reinvention. Instead of starting from a blank sheet, the project aims to build upon an existing, fully engineered platform.
The Emily GT as a Technical Foundation
What makes this plan credible is the nature of the Emily GT itself. The car was not a styling prototype or a rolling concept. It was a fully drivable vehicle demonstrating advanced engineering solutions, including in-wheel motors, steer-by-wire architecture, and wireless charging capability.
Those systems required refinement before production, but the fundamental engineering challenges had already been addressed.
That distinction matters. Many revival attempts fail because they lack a viable technical base. In this case, the base already exists.
The Design Direction of Sonett IV
The design aspect of the revival has also moved beyond abstract discussion, although not all elements are part of the official Home of Sonett presentation.
Earlier this year, former NEVS chief exterior designer Hirash Razaghi independently presented several Sonett IV design studies, created in dialogue with people involved in the broader Emily and Sonett discussions. These proposals offered one possible interpretation of how a modern electric Sonett might look, exploring compact proportions, low aerodynamic bodywork, and a driver-focused layout.
It is important to note, however, that these studies are not presented as official production designs on the Home of Sonett platform. The project’s public materials remain intentionally general, focusing on the strategy of building a family of vehicles derived from the Emily GT rather than showcasing finalized styling directions.
Seen in this context, Razaghi’s work is best understood as an exploratory design exercise – a way to visualize the potential direction of a future Sonett without implying that a specific design has already been selected.
A Team with Automotive Experience
Another detail revealed through the Home of Sonett materials is the composition of the core team behind the initiative.
The individuals involved bring decades of experience in automotive development, project management, and international engineering programs. This background distinguishes the project from typical startup ventures built around investors rather than engineers.
It also explains the cautious tone of the initiative. No production dates have been promised, and no unrealistic timelines have been announced.
The Reality of the Road Ahead
Even with a proven platform and experienced leadership, the challenges remain substantial.
Industrializing a vehicle requires large-scale funding, supplier agreements, certification programs, and production infrastructure. These steps cannot be rushed, and the Home of Sonett initiative acknowledges that openly.
That transparency may prove essential. Projects built on realistic expectations tend to maintain credibility far longer than those driven by announcements alone.
Why This Project Still Matters
The continuing interest in the Emily GT and Sonett IV is not driven solely by technical specifications.
What resonates most strongly is the persistence behind the effort. Engineers, designers, and enthusiasts have continued working on the project long after most observers assumed it had ended.
That persistence reflects a pattern seen repeatedly in Saab’s history: progress often depended not on corporate momentum, but on individuals willing to continue despite uncertainty.
A Project That Has Moved from Idea to Direction
The presentation at the Saab Winter Rally did not reveal a production car or a signed investor agreement.
What it revealed instead was a clear direction. The Emily GT exists. The Sonett IV concept exists. The Home of Sonett initiative exists. Frank Smit has acquired the rights to the Sonett name and is actively crafting a new narrative — not just through engineering, but through design collaboration and visionary concepts.
Those elements together form something that did not exist a year ago: a structured path forward. Whether that path ultimately leads to production remains uncertain. But for the first time since the Emily GT prototypes were unveiled, the project is no longer standing still.
It is moving – carefully, realistically, and with a defined purpose.
I love Sonetts and own three. Please don’t make this an overweight piece of shit.
Look incredible ,hope it goes in production.
I would like to join Michael’s remark and desire: the car looks to heavy, too low, too “overdesigned”. Must look like car for daily use. This is not. See some lines of the AeroX, what i loved so much and still would like to on the road some day. Smooth, pure powerful lines and volumes. Thank you Frank for pushing this project. If we can of any help, support, let us know!!